TRAILBLAZER
Jay Coen Gilbert
As co-founder of B Lab , the nonprofit behind the global B Corporation movement , Jay Coen Gilbert has set new standards for businesses becoming a force for good in a world of change - for workers , for communities , and for the environment
B
Lab was established in 2006 with the aim of helping businesses make positive change in how the global economy benefits people , communities , and the planet .
Believing that business should not just be about making money , but also about making a difference , Jay Coen Gilbert , Bart Houlahan and Andrew Kassoy set out on a mission to help other entrepreneurs build better businesses . The college friends used their own experiences to propose a business framework that would transform the economic system .
In 2010 , Coen Gilbert worked with a Corporate Lawyer to draft B Lab ’ s ‘ Declaration of Interdependence ’ - a holistic set of criteria that businesses must meet to become a certified B Corporation ( or B Corp ) with B Lab ’ s approval .
This includes :
• Demonstrating high social and environmental performance by achieving 80 or above in the B Impact Assessment
• Making a legal commitment to be accountable to all stakeholders
• Exhibiting transparency in their performance against B Lab ’ s standards
Today , the B Global Network spans Australia , East Africa , Europe , and North and South America . There are now over 5,000 B Corps in 84 countries , and across 157 industries , including major companies like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry ’ s .
“ Our vision is that one day all companies will compete to be best for the world - best
12 November 2022